Gerald Lawrence Dionne

Gerald "Gary" Lawrence Dionne, was born June 26th, 1940 in Anaconda, Montana to Larry F. Dionne and Mary J. (Wilson) Dionne, he passed on January 24th, 2017 at 12:10 pm in Casper, Wyoming surrounded by loving family members due to a battle of cancer which he fought very bravely over 2 years, at the age of 76.

He lived in the San Francisco and Seattle area until 1946. One Brother, David, was born during this time. His parents went their separate ways, he and David went to live with Mary and Richard (Sandy) R. Smith (the best stepdad one could ever have). He then went to live in Superior, Montana and Wallace, Idaho. One sister, Kathleen and Brother, Ralph were born, Gary's mother died in child birth with twins. Gary and David then came to live with their Dad and stepmom Edna, (best stepmom one could ever have). Two brothers, Ron and Eugene, and one sister, Teresa were born.

Gary went to School 1st & 2nd Grade in Superior, Montana, 3rd & 4th grade in Wallace, Idaho, 5th thru 8th grade at Elk Creek Grade School, 9th thru 12th grade at Kellogg Senior High School both in Kellogg, Idaho. He graduated in 1958.

He worked almost a year, 3700 feet underground at the Sunshine Mine in Big Creek, Idaho. He Joined the US Navy in 1959. First duty station, RTC located in San Diego, California. Second duty station, MMA School Naval Station in Chicago, Illinois. Third duty station, Naval Hub Base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He saw the start of the building of the Arizona Memorial, the "Making of the movie, The Wackiest Ship in The Army" and title wave from earth quake in Peru. Fourth duty station, USS Mispillion AO105. Fifth duty station, USS Navasota AO106; cruised to Hobart Tasmania, Adelaide and Melbourne, Australia, for the USS Coral Sea CV-43 celebration. Pulled into Long Beach, California, at the start of Cuban Missile Crisis (October of 1962).

Gary was discharged from the US Navy, and went back to work at the Sunshine Mine. He saw no future at 3700 feet underground, went back into the US Navy. Seventh duty station, USS Steinaker DDR863. Eight duty station, USS Eaton DD510, pulled spy ship out of Havana Harbor, Cuba. Ninth duty station, USS Sacramento AOR5. Part of fleet during the USS Pueblo Crisis when captured by North Koreans. Tenth duty station, RTC San Diego was company Commander. Stayed Single never got married, and never got hung for maltreatment. Eleventh duty station, USS Wabash AOR5, which he was a plank owner for commissioning the Ship, November 20th, 1971. Trip from Boston, MA to Long Beach, CA, via tip of South America.

March 18th, 1972 he met his future wife. On July 22nd, 1972 he married wife, Dorothy Rose Ferrante and his daughter, Samantha Lynn.

Ship changed port from Long Beach to Alameda, California where daughter, Marie Antoinette was born March 4th, 1974. Twelfth duty station, Naval Station Long Beach California, managed enlisted barracks and was PMS Coordinator for Port Services. Gary's son, Kari Lawrence was born September 7th, 1976. Thirteenth Duty, USS Coral Sea CV-43, was part of the Iranian Hostage Rescue Attempt. Last tour was March 1981 to April 1981 the Pineapple Cruise.

Gary retired from US Navy in July of 1981 after over 22 years of service. He received a Vietnam Service Medal with a Bronze Star and ten other awards of valor. He then and ended up in Casper, Wyoming. Where he worked for National Machine, Compressor Pump and Engine, and National Oil Well Varco.

Gary enjoyed watching the news, building models, reading books and the newspaper, and listening to books on CD with his wife while getting to travel the last couple of years. He enjoyed spending time with his pets, as well as with his grandchildren, teaching while receiving life lessons. Fishing with his sons, camping at the lake and mountains with all of his family, even getting to go for a 4 wheeler ride for the first time and not realizing that we had such beautiful county so close to home.

Those who have passed are his mother, father, 2 sisters, 3 brothers, step-parents, mother-in-law and son-in-law.

Survived by his wife, Dorothy Rose; Children Samantha (Elgin) Dehoff of Evansville, WY; Marie Dionne of Forks, WA; Shad (LeaAnn) Caulfield and Kari (Cheryl) Dionne both of Casper, WY; 10 Grandchildren, Melinda, Dylan, Rachael, Kimberlee, Mathew, Frank Cary, Wyatt, Corbin, Katelynn and Landon. Expecting his first great-grandchild; Brothers Ron (Sharon) of Coeur d'Alene, ID, and Eugene of Spokane, WA; Sister Kathleen Dorset of Wenatchee, WA; his lifelong military brother, Allen McNerney; and numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws.

A memorial service will be held 1:00 PM, Sunday February 5th, 2017 at VFW Casper Memorial Post, 1800 Bryan Stock Trail, Casper, Wyoming. In lieu of flowers and gifts please make donations to Central Wyoming Hospice; 319 S. Wilson Casper, WY, 82601, Must have in memory of Gary Dionne on donation.